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April 27, 2024
 

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Mai Iida
For Mai Iida's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2012
Restarting reactors key topic in new energy policy debate
Since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began a year ago, Japan's energy supply mix has undergone a shakeup, with only two out of the nation's 54 commercial nuclear reactors currently online and thermal power filling the gap.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 16, 2011
Bandwagon to be bumpy ride
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's announcement that Japan will join multilateral talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework was welcomed by leaders of countries already involved in the negotiations when they gathered over the weekend for their regional economic summit in Hawaii.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2011
Clothiers alter job-hunt look via Super Cool Biz
The government-led Super Cool Biz campaign to relax the office dress code to save electricity is prodding companies to seek new opportunities — and even bringing changes to a job-hunting scene that normally features stuffy dark suits.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 29, 2010
Sanyo gloats as Gopan turns top breadwinner
Sanyo Electric Co.'s Gopan, a machine that bakes bread from rice, has been such a smash hit since its November debut that the manufacturer has had to stop taking orders.
BUSINESS
Nov 23, 2010
Rising Asian economies need long-term plans: ADB
Developing Asian economies will continue to grow faster than developed countries in the coming years and should introduce measures to sustain long-term growth, such as expanding productive capacity, a senior Asian Development Bank official said.
JAPAN / DECISION 2010
Jul 1, 2010
DPJ's second wind worries rivals
April was an unusual month for politics as several new parties debuted in short order.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 17, 2010
GDP rise may not lift DPJ at polls
The latest and better than expected gross domestic product report underscores that the economy continued to recover from the worst recession in decades in the fourth quarter of 2009 and signaled a lessened possibility that a double-dip recession will occur.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2010
Publishers smarten up, match mags, bags
For 19-year-old Yurika Tauchi, buying designer bags at a nearby bookstore has become commonplace as an increasing number of fashion magazines tie up with apparel brands to offer their readers fashion items with the purchase of magazines, usually priced for less than ¥1,000.
BUSINESS
Dec 3, 2009
BOJ's independence is called into question
The Bank of Japan's decision to provide around ¥10 trillion of liquidity amid pressure from the government is raising concerns among market watchers that the central bank's independence may be at risk.
BUSINESS
Oct 17, 2009
BOJ may end emergency steps soon, but real exit still far away
After introducing a series of unconventional measures to cope with the global financial crisis, the Bank of Japan now sees the need receding for some of the steps, signaling the time for the central bank to unwind its emergency funding steps is approaching.
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2009
G7 in twilight stage as G20 gains clout
ISTANBUL — A week ago, many wondered what would become of the Group of Seven rich nations' summit when leaders of the broader Group of 20 developed and emerging countries decided to make their gathering the "premier" forum for steering the global economy.
BUSINESS
Aug 19, 2009
LDP hopes for mileage from stimulus silver lining
News that the economy grew in the April-June quarter for the first time in more than a year provided an opportunity for the Liberal Democratic Party to direct voters' attention to its measures to fight the recession.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 28, 2009
Daihatsu aims to stay No. 1 small car maker
Daihatsu Motor Co. is intent on keeping its lead in the domestic market for small cars for a third consecutive year while riding out the global economic slump with further cost-cutting measures, the company's leader said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2009
Bikes back in fashion as eco-friendly alternative
While automakers are suffering from slumping sales amid the global economic downturn and accelerating efforts to develop green cars to spur new demand, the traditional green vehicle — the bicycle — is becoming more popular.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2008
Honda president blasts 'slow' response to yen's appreciation
Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui has rapped the government's "slow" response to the yen's sharp appreciation, saying further rises by the currency would hollow out Japan's auto industry through lost jobs and a shift of manufacturing, research and other activities overseas.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2008
J-Power chief confident of winning TCI battle
J-Power will win support for its business strategies and a plan to reappoint all 13 board members at its shareholders' meeting Thursday despite opposition from its biggest stakeholder, The Children's Investment Fund, the head of the power firm said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 28, 2008
Glitzy Ginza could be showcase for department store industry realignment
Ginza, one of Tokyo's upscale shopping districts, is likely to become a showcase for the ongoing realignment in the department store industry with Mitsukoshi Ltd. and Isetan Co. merging April 1.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2008
The dung business isn't done till the paperwork
Looking at the colorful notepads and letter sets with animal decorations, it would be hard to imagine their composition: elephant dung.
BUSINESS
Jun 8, 2007
Tokyo on radar of growing Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the energy-rich nation, aims to start flying to Tokyo, having boosted the frequency of its Doha-Osaka flights from zero to daily over a two-year period to March, according to the head of the airline's operations in Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 6, 2007
Pasmo train-bus IC fare card to debut March 18
A new IC card that can be used for most train, subway and bus lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area will debut March 18.
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

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